Everything LED
Saving energy can be as simple as changing a light bulb... as long as it’s an LED bulb. Here’s everything you need to know about these extremely efficient bulbs.
—The weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter, and we’re spending more time inside. This also means we’re using our indoor lights more often. Whether it’s in the kitchen or home office, we use lighting just about everywhere.
Did you know that a few simple changes around the home with a focus on energy-efficient lighting could help you keep energy costs down and your home bright and cozy? Here’s how.
Light-emitting diode bulbs
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are extremely efficient; they create a lot of light but use very little energy. There is no question – installing LED bulbs will help you save money on your energy bill, and you can say goodbye to constantly buying replacement bulbs.
Lumens and watts
When you’re choosing a light bulb, focus on the lumen value instead of on the number of watts. The lumen value tells you how bright a bulb will be; the higher the lumen value, the brighter the light.
By contrast, a watt is a unit of power that measures how much energy a bulb needs to operate. So, to choose the most energy-efficient LED bulb for your needs, find one whose lumen value matches the brightness of your old bulbs.
Fun fact: A 9-watt LED bulb produces the same amount of light (800 lumens) as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
There’s an LED for that
There are LED bulbs for every imaginable space and style inside and outside your home. That includes everything from a basic bulb for your table lamp to unique shapes to fit pendant fixtures or decorative ceiling fixtures, as well as those best suited to motion-activated outdoor lights.
Looking for vintage Edison bulbs? Outside patio strings? Do you want a dimmable “smart” bulb? There’s an LED for that!
You can also choose different colours and qualities of light, from a soft, yellowish warm glow for those comfortable, cozy moments, to a crisper bluer light for activities such as reading.
Check the colour guide on the bulb’s package to find the perfect LED for each room in your home. Most residential LED bulbs are in the range of 2,000 to 6,500 kelvin (K). Remember: the lower the K, the warmer the light, the higher the K, the cooler.
Fun fact: Bulbs between 5,000 and 6,500 K provide light that best mimics daylight, like when the sky is clear and the sun is overhead.
Learn more and connect with us
Looking for more tips on energy efficiency? Follow ENERGY STAR Canada on X, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn to maximize your energy savings and get the latest information on energy-efficient products.
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